Has anyone used traveler's checks in Florence, Italy?

Question

I am going to be travelling to florence, italy and i wanted to see if anyone has been ther and used traveler''s checks. i want to see if it is convienient for me to take them or if i should just take euros.

Answer 1

Just take a debit card and pay the 2 euro fee at the ATM, take out the max amount of euros possible and pay using credit card whwnever possible.

lots of places take credit cards, but bars/ clubs often don't....

Answer 2

Hello,

Hardly any place will take travellers checks anymore.  You will have a very hard time using them..  The way to go is with euros.  The Lira isn't used anymore.  You can get euros out of the cash machine in the airport once you get to Italy.  This is where you will get the best exchange rate.  If you decide to get euros from your bank, just take about 100 or 200 dollars worth.  Wait until you get to Italy to buy the bulk of your euros.  There are ATM's  all over Italy so you will easily be able to get cash when you need it.

Donna

Answer 3

When in Europe... use the Euro. You'll get burned on the exchange if you use US Dollars to do your shopping. Have your bank issue you Euro Travellers Checks.

Note that shops in high density tourist areas will take Dollars... and your socks too. Pay in Euro and before you pay ask for a discount.

Answer 4

u can use them.  there is a gold smith  by santa croce they most speak perfect english and they cash traveller checks for you.  also some fine gold, silver and leather

Answer 5

Use ATMs you don't have to carry large amounts of cash ATM everywhere.

Answer 6

Fewer and fewer businesses are actually accepting Travellers' Checks, but you can exchange them at several locations, such as AMEX exchange offices and others, but they charge outrageous fees (except AMEX). The best thing to do is use your ATM card. Machines are all over Italy (yes in english...just choose the right language for you), even in some of the smaller towns now. You will get a better rate of exchange and my bank charged minimal fees for the transactions. You can also use your credit/debit cards almost everywhere.

Answer 7

Just use lira, like every other Italian...oh, and by the way, be wary of being ripped off and scammed.  Don't trust anyone in Europe. For anything. Ever.

Answer 8

I would DEFINITELY check with your bank before using foreign ATMs. Before I went to Europe I got some traveller's checks and about $200 in cash to exchange as soon as I landed. When I ran out of the initial money I brought I cashed some of my checks at the AMEX in Florence. It was easy and I liked the idea that if my checks got lost or stolen I could get them replaced.

HAVE FUN, FLORENCE IS WONDERFUL!!!

Answer 9

I live in Italy and have had lots of family come over to visit me and over time we have found that it is very hard to cash travels checks and it is almost impossible if they are american express because no where in Italy do they take american express or discover. My advise is to use a Debt or credit card you get a much better rate of exchange. Just check with your bank to let them know you will be going overseas so it will work. Also if you exchange Euros in the States or at an airport the rates are really bad  and the rates are bad at this time anyway so you don't want to lose more money than needed. Currently the rate is $1 = E.72 some places may make it worest with fees and commissions. SO watch out.